Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

---3 days later---

The celebrations had come to an end and Seth was just about ready for another two-week vacation. Obviously, this wasn't the moment to take vacations. Before he left with Al, the blacksmith was scheduled to tour Delta and have a look at the damages and changes.

“... and they have been like this ever since the tree captured them?” Seth asked concerned, looking at the legends encased in wooden cocoons. Why did this have to look so much like something from a horror movie?

“Apparently they are the main reason the tree can support the saplings in the fiery abyss worlds,” Leana repeated what Karina told Mary and her earlier. It was finally time for Seth to also visit their prisoners of war.

They actually looked aged, almost desiccated, but alive. It was terrifying to see people with such terrifying power reduced to such a state. Seeing the power of drain the Guardian Tree was showing and had displayed during the war...

Seth was glad the tree became a legend first long before the system quest. The Guardian Tree would have been a much better fit for the horseman of hunger, but Seth shuddered at the thought of having to create a mount for the tree. That would have been disastrous.

“The tree is supporting them with nutrients?” Seth asked again. His own level was too low to see their status with , but apparently, it wasn't just sucking them dry but also keeping them alive through the connection.

“Yes, their status is constantly swaying between 600-700 HP, so they are quite healthy, actually.” Leana explained. Like her, the Tower Mster was worried about keeping a bunch of legends alive and captive in the middle of the city, but seeing them in person, he stopped worrying.

“None of them woke up yet?” Leana shook her head. As enemy legends, they obviously had a high standing in their home and could have been a valuable source of information. That was if they were awake and if they had someone to interrogate them.

“Maybe we could try and hire a mind extractor to gain access to their memories,” the princess suggested something freaky. Seth had heard about them during their stay at Chrona. There were mages specialized in non-combat mind magic. Like arcane therapists in essence.

But like every medicine, it also had its dark sides. Magic used for therapy could also be used to mess with a target's mind, brainwash them, and read their memories, sometimes forcefully. This could often leave the recipients of such “treatment” in a vegetative state. Mind Extractors were mages specialized in this practice.

Seth hesitated for a moment. Even if they managed to hire a professional Mind Extractor that was strong enough to look into the spirit of a legend... Was he ready to go this far to gain intelligence on their enemy? He often heard that leaders had to make hard decisions for the sake of their people.

“How much would that cost? Where would we even find someone like that?” the bard voiced his worries. Although the practice of messing with the mind irked him, could he really complain since he was messing around with souls? The more pressing question was the price.

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“If you agree, I will see if I can find someone we can trust,” the Princess suggested. The bard nodded thoughtfully. “Let's talk about this again, when you find someone,” the blacksmith decided. He had more places to visit today.

...

Legendary

Horn of the Rhinoceros of Destruction, a monster that was known for its destructive powers and aggressive attitude. Carries the Aura of Destruction.>

One of the places Seth had to visit was the site of the battle where the black Rhino rampaged. When Link began harvesting the greater undead for materials, they found that the three that came last actually used to be legends, when they were alive.

The Rhino, the Panther, and the Arachne, although no legends after becoming undead, held legendary materials. This horn for example held the legendary effect Aura of Destruction. Can destroy anything. Damages dealt by the bearer would be permanent and unable to be healed or repaired by normal means.

Considering the size of the beasts, it took the teams of hunters a while to take them apart, so Seth came by to take a look at the materials they harvested.

“Pretty massive, huh? I bet this will make a lot of weapons, right?” Link commented on the giant black horn he had cut off the corpse. The gourmet hunter was still their most talented hunter, especially since his specialization as a cook, further improved his skills in dismantling beasts.

“I wish,” Seth sighed, looking at the giant horn. Although the whole horn had the aura of Destruction, it was similar to the item Master Mountain had once gifted him, which ended up becoming the Harbinger of Winter Woes.

Had the rhino been alive and a legend, Link may have been right, but like this, Seth could already see that most of the horn would vanish during refinement. The horn which was five meters long and two meters wide at the base, would maybe give enough material for two weapons.

This humbling conclusion was not the last of that day. it was similar for the leather of the shadow panther and the hands of the Arachne. All three would need proper refinement and shrink quite a lot compared to their original size.

Despite that, it refilled Seth's motivation to make more items. Not only could the leopard's hide finally allow him to make a proper full legendary set for Mina, but he would also be able to collect more effects for his own path to legend,. However, before he could think of that, he had to keep his other promises in mind.

After he and Al'Zalsar returned from the Abyss, his first project was going to be Nam's request. he was looking forward to spending some quiet time researching the blueprint the cultivator had shared with him.

...

After visiting the sites where Natina's semi-legends found their end, Seth also passed through the portal Idyllon had ultimately managed to take possession of. The blacksmith returned to the valley where they battled the remains of Natina's forces.

He came to check up on Tatzel, but the first thing he noticed was that the hill of dragon bones seemed somewhat smaller than he remembered. Although he had drunk a lot in the past three days, was it enough to warp his memory of this place?

Putting his doubtful memory aside, Seth turned to Tatzel. The Imugi had dug out a cave at the rocky foot of the adjacent mountain, where Seth found the young pseudo-dragon coiled around the core of the ancient dragon.

It was a big yellow crystal with a dark tinge. in the shadow of the cave, it was giving off a slight, warm glow. Just like he told him before the party, Tatzel was simply sleeping sound snuggling up to the core as if it was a plushy.

“Creator?” Seth heard a voice from behind. Turning around, he found the massive Gatekeeper of Minas Mar standing behind him.

“What are you doing here, Asterion?” Seth asked the Minotaur surprised. Awkwardly twirling his massive Labrys in his hand, the Minotaur seemed a little embarrassed at the question.

“I-I left the party early to protect Tatzel...” he said hesitatingly. Did he think Seth would scold him for that? Seth reached up and patted his shoulder.

“Well done, Asterion. Actually, I would be glad if you keep watching over Tatzel until he wakes up.” the bard told him. Seth was actually embarrassed himself, that he had not thought of sending someone to look after Tatzel. he had been too preoccupied with everything else.

“B-But I left my post? Who will guard the gate if I'm not there?” the Minotaur asked worriedly. Seth realized, that Asterion thought he would get in trouble if he left his post. A position, Seth had mostly given him because he didn't know where else to put him.

“It's alright. Nothing happened after all. I'm sure the Oathguard will manage to guard the gate for now, but this is more important. Can I entrust you with protecting Tatzel?”

“Yes! I will protect him with my life!” the gatekeeper exclaimed motivated. it seemed that the bard managed to calm his worries.

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